^1. "Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man?

^2. Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages,

^3. so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.

^4. When I lie down I think, `How long before I get up?' The night drags on, and I toss till dawn.

^5. My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering.

^6. "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope.

^7. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.

^8. The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more.

^9. As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave [1] does not return.

^10. He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.

^11. "Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

^12. Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep, that you put me under guard?

^13. When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,

^14. even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,

^15. so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine.

^16. I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.

^17. "What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention,

^18. that you examine him every morning and test him every moment?

^19. Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?

^20. If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? [2]

^21. Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more."